Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A330 Airplanes and Model A340-200 and -300 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 83 (Tuesday, May 1, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 23765-23767]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-8170]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-27014; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-253-AD; 
Amendment 39-15041; AD 2007-09-09]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A330 Airplanes and Model 
A340-200 and -300 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the 
products listed above. This AD results from mandatory continuing 
airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an airworthiness authority 
of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an 
aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as un-damped 
extension of the main landing gear (MLG), potentially leading to loss 
of side stay integrity and then MLG collapse. We are issuing this AD to 
require actions to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD becomes effective June 5, 2007.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of June 5, 2007.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov or in person at the Docket Management Facility, U.S. 
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, 
Room PL-401, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tim Backman, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 
227-2797; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    The FAA is implementing a new process for streamlining the issuance 
of ADs related to MCAI. This streamlined process will allow us to adopt 
MCAI safety requirements in a more efficient manner and will reduce 
safety risks to the public. This process continues to allow all FAA AD 
issuance processes to meet legal, economic, Administrative Procedure 
Act, and Federal Register requirements. We also continue to meet our 
technical decision-making responsibilities to identify and correct 
unsafe conditions on U.S.-certificated products.
    This AD references the MCAI and related service information that we 
considered in forming the engineering basis to correct the unsafe 
condition. The AD contains text copied from the MCAI and for this 
reason might not follow our plain language principles.
    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products. 
That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on January 26, 2007 (72 
FR 3759). That NPRM proposed to require replacement of the retraction 
link assembly. The MCAI states that during full-scale fatigue tests, 
the retraction link failed on the latest growth production standard MLG 
(main landing gear) prior to its expected life limit. Investigations 
confirm that the root cause of this premature fracture is due to high 
lug stress. The retraction link is included in the ALS (Airworthiness 
Limitation section) Part 1--Safe Life Airworthiness Limitation Item--
and is currently limited to 35,200 flight cycles (FC). Its fracture 
causes un-damped extension of the MLG, potentially leading to loss of 
side stay integrity and

[[Page 23766]]

then MLG collapse, which constitutes an unsafe condition. The aim of 
the MCAI is to mandate the reduced retraction link life limit and 
replacement of any retraction link that has exceeded this new limit.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of 
the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information

    We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in 
general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it 
necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the 
AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable in a U.S. court of 
law. In making these changes, we do not intend to differ substantively 
from the information provided in the MCAI and related service 
information.
    We might also have required different actions in this AD from those 
in the MCAI in order to follow our FAA policies. Any such differences 
are described in a separate paragraph of the AD. These requirements, if 
any, take precedence over the actions copied from the MCAI.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 28 products of U.S. registry. 
We also estimate that it will take about 10 work-hours per product to 
comply with this AD. The average labor rate is $80 per work-hour. 
Required parts will cost about $0 per product. Where the service 
information lists required parts costs that are covered under warranty, 
we have assumed that there will be no charge for these parts. As we do 
not control warranty coverage for affected parties, some parties may 
incur costs higher than estimated here. Based on these figures, we 
estimate the cost of this AD to the U.S. operators to be $22,400, or 
$800 per product.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. ``Subtitle VII: Aviation 
Programs,'' describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's 
authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
``Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We determined that this AD will not have federalism implications 
under Executive Order 13132. This AD will not have a substantial direct 
effect on the States, on the relationship between the national 
government and the States, or on the distribution of power and 
responsibilities among the various levels of government.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866;
    (2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and
    (3) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or 
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria 
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this AD and placed it in the AD Docket.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD 
docket contains the NPRM, the regulatory evaluation, any comments 
received, and other information. The street address for the Docket 
Office (telephone (800) 647-5227) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments 
will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, 
the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new AD:

2007-09-09 Airbus: Amendment 39-15041. Docket No. FAA-2007-27014; 
Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-253-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective June 5, 
2007.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A330 airplanes, and Model 
A340-200 and -300 series airplanes, certificated in any category; 
all serial numbers fitted with MLG (main landing gear) retraction 
link Part Number (PN) 201489311 (LH (left-hand) side) or PN 
201489312 (RH (right-hand) side).

Reason

    (d) The MCAI states that during full-scale fatigue tests, the 
retraction link failed on the latest growth production standard MLG 
(main landing gear) prior to its expected life limit. Investigations 
confirm that the root cause of this premature fracture is due to 
high lug stress. The retraction link is included in the ALS 
(Airworthiness Limitation section) Part 1--Safe Life Airworthiness 
Limitation Item--and currently limited to 35,200 flight cycles (FC). 
Its fracture causes un-damped extension of the MLG, potentially 
leading to loss of side stay integrity and then MLG collapse, which 
constitutes an unsafe condition. The aim of the MCAI is to mandate 
the reduced retraction link life limit and replacement of any 
retraction link that has exceeded this new limit.

Actions and Compliance

    (e) Unless already done, do the following actions.
    (1) Prior to the accumulation of 8,300 total landings on the 
retraction link assembly or within 39 days after the effective date 
of this AD, whichever occurs later, replace the retraction link 
assembly in accordance with the instructions defined in Airbus All 
Operators Telex A330-32A3208, dated October 18, 2006; or Airbus All 
Operators Telex A340-32A4252, dated October 18, 2006; as applicable.
    (2) Within 39 days after the effective date of this AD, report 
to Airbus the life accumulation information of each retraction link 
assembly affected by this AD in accordance with Airbus All Operators 
Telex A330-32A3208, dated October 18, 2006; or Airbus All Operators 
Telex A340-32A4252, dated October 18, 2006; as applicable.

    Note 1: This reduced life limit will be incorporated within the 
next revision of the Airbus A330/A340 ALS Part 1.


[[Page 23767]]



Other FAA AD Provisions

    (f) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
ATTN: Tim Backman, Aerospace Engineer, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98057-3356, has the authority to approve AMOCs 
for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
39.19. Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with Sec.  39.19 
on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the appropriate 
principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards Certificate Holding 
District Office.
    (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain 
corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these 
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered 
FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority 
(or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product 
is airworthy before it is returned to service.
    (3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in 
this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information 
collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120-
0056.

Related Information

    (g) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency Emergency 
Airworthiness Directive 2006-0324-E, dated October 20, 2006; and 
Airbus All Operators Telex A330-32A3208, dated October 18, 2006; and 
Airbus All Operators Telex A340-32A4252, dated October 18, 2006, for 
related information.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (h) You must use Airbus All Operators Telex A330-32A3208, dated 
October 18, 2006; or Airbus All Operators Telex A340-32A4252, dated 
October 18, 2006; as applicable, to do the actions required by this 
AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France.
    (3) You may review copies at the FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the 
National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information 
on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or 
go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 23, 2007.
Stephen P. Boyd,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E7-8170 Filed 4-30-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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